Israeli allies fly with U.S. forces at Red Flag
7/20/2009 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Flying at home station is necessary for training, but flying with other units, especially an allied unit like the Israeli Air Force, results in valuable experience and preparation for the fight.
A squadron of F-16Is from Ramon Air Base, Israel, is one of the nine units participating in Red Flag 09-4 through July 24 in Las Vegas.
Red Flag exercises present a unique experience for U.S. and allied units to fly together against red air, or ‘enemy’ aircraft provided by the Aggressor Squadrons at Nellis Air Force Base, in a realistic combat environment.
The Israeli Air Force’s “Bats” squadron is made up of the F-16-I Storm, a multi-role, two-seater fighter jet capable of low flying, strike and offensive counter air.
Captain Gilad, a 25-year-old IAF pilot and Tel Aviv, Israel, native, experienced Red Flag for the first time this week.
“So far Red Flag has answered my expectations,” he said. “It’s very interesting. We can learn a lot from each other. We’re learning